🔗 Share this article R&B Christmas Concert Review: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists known for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B. Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists. The Powerful Performance The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak success. Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly. Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment. Their set included covers of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Christmas Cheer Finally, the evening embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Thoughts While the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.